The Senate just voted to raise my taxes and take away my health insurance

Despite fierce Republican opposition and the lingering effects of a major Northeast snowstorm, Senate Democrats cleared a critical vote on a 10-year, $871 billion health care bill early this morning, steering the proposal toward approval on Christmas Eve. . . . Unions have criticized another provision in the Senate bill that would impose a 40% tax on high-priced health plans.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-12-20-health-care-overhaul_N.htm

The Senate just voted to impose a 40% tax on "Cadillac" health insurance plans, i.e., traditional or PPO/plus type plans with freer choice and lower deductibles and co-pays.

Never forget, Congress taxes the things it dislikes or wants to discourage - - alcohol, tobacco, gambling, pollution, etc.

By taxing good health insurance plans, they're encouraging employers, unions and individuals who pay for them to switch to less pricey plans, i.e., lower end HMO's.

The Senate wants to discourage the better health insurance plans, because the goal of "health insurance reform" is to take all the money currently spent by anyone and everyone to provide for the currently insured, and use that huge pool of money to buy everyone (including the currently uninsured) a fairly mediocre HMO with big deductibles and high co pays. The total cost is approximately the same. None of us (except the wealthy) will have good health insurance, but we'll all have some health insurance.

Of course, "the government would provide subsidies to help low- and moderate-income families buy a policy."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-12-19-health-care_N.htm

But, if you're middle class or above, and have decent health insurance from your employer or union or out of pocket, you're going to end up being a net contributor to the pot, you'll end up with worse health insurance, and you won't qualify for any subsidies for costs or deductibles or co-pays.

In other words, if you're like me, the Senate just voted to raise your taxes and take away your current health insurance plan.

I don't understand how that helps increase the overall health of the population. And, I don't understand how that helps Democrats in the next few elections, after people across the country are told by their employers and unions that they can no longer afford their current health insurance plans.

From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.

Karl Marx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_each_according_to_his_ability,_to_each_according_to_his_need